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Topic: Just got a pair of Sandlot's games (Read 1653 times)

Starting off, I should prolly provide a brief backstory. Sandlot is a japanese game developer made up of numerous employees who had left Human Entertainment and was formed in 2001. Since then it has released a handful of rather nifty and definitely different videogames, most of which unfortunately have never hit american shores. While Europe actually gets a very large amount of its games, Sandlot's hits still usually stay in the country of origin. This is kind of odd, as the games they make, while being critical failures, wind up usually hitting fantastic sales for their ratings. This is likely due to their focus on a more action-packed arcade-style approach to action by pitting the player against numerous gigantic enemies while equipped with crazy over-the-top weapons. Some of their games include:

Gigantic Drive[PS2](released in US as Robot Alchemic Drive, or R.A.D.), in which the player controls an individual who manipulates a giant mech via a radio controllerEarth Defense Force[PS2](Monster Attack in Europe), where the player takes the role of a soldier defending earth from a massive alien invasionGlobal Defense Force[PS2], the sequelEarth Defense Force 2017[Xbox 360], a remake of the original EDF, which has been released in all regionsChōsōjū Mecha MG[DS], a Nintendo-published game where the player controls a mech using the DS stylus to use the controlsZangeki No Reginleiv[Wii], a Nintendo-published title in which the player controls Norse gods Freyr and Freya as the battle of Ragnarok begins to unfold in the human world

Unfortunately the only Sandlot games that have hit the United States are Gigantic Drive/Robot Alchemic Drive and EDF 2017. However, all of the EDF games have indeed landed in Europe and there is a possibility of an EU release for Reginleiv.

With all that out of the way we come to the games I snagged, which are Global Defense Force and Zangeki No Reginleiv. The former, as I stated earlier, is a sequel to Earth Defense Force in which you assume the role of a nameless marine doing battle against giant bugs and other aliens wreaking havoc on the world. You are equipped with an ever-increasing arsenal of assault rifles, sniper rifles, shotguns, rocket launchers, and grenades/grenade launchers to kill the beasts in overly dramatic levels of destruction. All the environments can be destroyed, as a single rocket will level a 20-story skyscraper. One addition GDF brings is the introduction of a new character that comes equipped with a jetpack and various energy-based weapons, like laser guns and plasma bombs. Overall the game is an absolute blast and with its 2-player mode is hard to pass up. If you can get any of the EDF games, do it.

[youtube:39nlyar4]wHIE5YjWBL0[/youtube:39nlyar4]

The other title, Zangeki No Reginleiv, is a ridiculously exaggerated retelling of the battle of Ragnarok, as seen on the human side. You control god siblings Freyr and Freya as they assist the humans in battling with enormous armies of giants. Freyr is the more physical character, who comes readily equipped for swords, great swords, hammers, lances, and bows. Each has its pluses and minuses, and all are controlled by the Wii remote. Freya, on the other hand, is more magic-oriented, with her arsenal including enchanted lances, magic bows, and various staves that either launch particles, lasers, or even extremely potent explosives. Combat is very straightforward and easy. Drag the pointer across the screen in a swift slashing motion to make the character attack, hold A and B whole pulling the remote back to draw the bow, etc. Overall another excellent title, but there's no local multiplayer. There is online, but there's not splitscreen.

[youtube:39nlyar4]xCl4-MjlUIo[/youtube:39nlyar4](btw, no the melee controls are NOT difficult. This guy just really doesn't know how to play that well)

Long story short, Sandlot makes awesome games. Go get one, if you can.